Some joggers spotted the fisherman and immediately took a video of the scene. To their ultimate shock, Washington took out a claw hammer and started smashing the defenseless turtle until its sturdy shell broke, and its blood splashed all over.

According to the witnesses, Washington was apparently disappointed for a poor catch in the river. But instead of just heading home, he lashed out his frustration against the wildlife, hitting it 10 times with the claw end of the hammer. One witness described the incident as “sick”.

Mugshot of Washington. (nydailynews)

The Texas fisherman surrendered himself to the authorities and explained that he was just “defending himself” from the turtle. He claimed that the turtle’s behavior frightened him, so there’s no other choice but to “fight back.”